The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents

One rat, popping up here and there, squeaking loudly, and taking a bath in the cream, could be a plague all by himself. After a few days of this, it was amazing how glad people were to see the kid with his magical rat pipe. And they were amazing when the rats followed hint out of town. They'd have been really amazed if they'd ever found out that the rats and the piper met up with a cat somewhere outside of town and solemnly counted out the money.

Not just another science audiobook and not just another Discworld novella, The Science of Discworld is a creative, mind-bending mash-up of fiction and fact, that offers a wizard’s-eye view of our world that will forever change how you look at the universe.

The Folklore of Discworld: Legends, Myths, and Customs from the Discworld with Helpful Hints from Planet Earth

Most of us grew up having always known when to touch wood or cross our fingers, and what happens when a princess kisses a frog or a boy pulls a sword from a stone, yet sadly some of these things are beginning to be forgotten. Legends, myths, and fairy tales: Our world is made up of the stories we told ourselves about where we came from and how we got here. It is the same on Discworld, except that beings, which on Earth are creatures of the imagination - like vampires, trolls, witches and, possibly, gods - are real, alive and, in some cases kicking, on the Disc.

Good Omens

The world will end on Saturday. Next Saturday. Just before dinner, according to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, the world's only completely accurate book of prophecies, written in 1655. The armies of Good and Evil are amassing and everything appears to be going according to Divine Plan. Except that a somewhat fussy angel and a fast-living demon are not actually looking forward to the coming Rapture. And someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist.

Dodger

A storm. Rain-lashed city streets. A flash of lightning. A scruffy lad sees a girl leap desperately from a horse-drawn carriage in a vain attempt to escape her captors. Can the lad stand by and let her be caught again? Of course not, because he's...Dodger. Seventeen-year-old Dodger may be a street urchin, but he gleans a living from London's sewers, and he knows a jewel when he sees one. He's not about to let anything happen to the unknown girl - not even if her fate impacts the most powerful people in England.

A Blink of the Screen: Collected Shorter Fiction

A Blink of the Screen charts the course of Pratchett's long writing career: from his schooldays through to his first writing job on the Bucks Free Press and the origins of his debut novel, The Carpet People, and on again to the dizzy mastery of the phenomenally successful Discworld series.

Julie says:"I kept busting out laughing."

Publisher's Summary

Arch-swindler Moist von Lipwig never believed his crimes were hanging offenses, until he found himself with a noose around his neck, dropping through a trap door, and falling into...a government job? Getting the moribund Postal Service up and running again, however, may be an impossible task. Worse, the new Postmaster could swear the mail is talking to him. Worst of all, it means taking on the gargantuan, money-hungry Grand Trunk clacks communication monopoly and its bloodthirsty piratical head, Mr. Reacher Gilt.

But it says on the building 'Neither Rain Nor Snow Nor Glo m Of Ni t'...Inspiring words (admittedly, some of the bronze letters have been stolen), and for once in his wretched life Moist is going to fight. And if the bold and impossible are what's called for, he'll do it; to move the mail, continue breathing, get the girl, and deliver that invaluable commodity that everyone requires: hope.

What the Critics Say

Audie Award Finalist, Fiction (unabridged), 2005

"Thanks to the timely subject matter and Pratchett's effervescent wit, this 29th Discworld novel may capture more of the American audience he deserves." (Publishers Weekly) "Instead of revisiting old characters, Pratchett again takes on the task of further rounding out his already beautifully imagined Discworld, doing it with his usual blending of good laughs and unexpected depths." (Booklist)

I've been a Pratchett fan most of my life and he has only gotten better over time. His more recent books especially those which feature Moist Von Lipwig and Commander Vimes are especially brilliant. I may have listened to this book a dozen times over the years. It's funny at multiple levels with cleverly drawn and complex characters, mixed with marvelous satire on our society. If you are new to Pratchett, start here...then go on to Making Money, the back to back sequel which is (if that's even possible) even better. The narration also demands hearty praise. Stephen Briggs has narrated the more recent Pratchett books, he brings wonderful voices and humor to what is already terrifically funny writing. If you are already a fan of Pratchett this rendition of one of his best books will make your day.

I have listened to a decent nunber of Discworld stories, and this is probably my favorite. Prachett has matured as a writer throughout the series, they have become a little bit less madcap, a little darker, and more focused on social commentary than mocking trite fantasy worlds. They are still funny, but they are also much more satisfying to listen to. Going Postal revolves around an entirely new (and appealing) character, and, while many favorites make guest appearances, it is accessible to the non-fan, and even to those who are not necessaily big lovers of fantasy. What makes it work is tight plotting, a very good sense of humor, and a relevant plotline full of conmen and corporate intrigue in a fantasy world. If you like later Prachett (Monsterous Regiment, for example), this is a good choice. If you are looking for sword-and-sorcerey parodies, this is probably the wrong way to go.

Like all prolific writers, however brilliant, Terry Pratchett has his ups and downs. Some books are better than others. This is one of them. Set in Ankh Morpork, where the story can brush up against long-standing favorites like Vimes, the Patrician, and the wizards, <u>Going Postal</u> introduces a new cast of characters, and with them, a new energy. Part of Pratchett's genius is that he can be funny, even farcical, without being <i>mean</i>, and that comes through strongly in this story, with his trademark mix of whimsy, cheap shots, social commentary, and a truly engaging and hilarious plot and cast. No one else can write like Pratchett, and no one else should try.

And, as always, Stephen Briggs reads Pratchett's work exactly the way it wants to be read, with energy and understanding and a straight face. There are other performers who can read Pratchett's writing well - Nigel Planer generally does a good job - but no one seems to get <i>inside</i> the story the way Briggs can.

It's impossible to judge which books will be a particular reader/listener's favorites, and which will simply be enjoyable, but <u>Going Postal</u> is strong, witty, and highly entertaining.

This book, whose main character is an unapologetic con man, is a delightfully funny and imaginative book. The "hero" wants nothing more than to continue relieving gullible idiots of their money, but he is forced by a mysterious duke to serve as town postmaster or be killed. In the course of his work, he is captivated by a crabby, chain-smoking gollum purveyor whose sole redeeming grace is her unexpected love for her robotic charges. The story takes turn after unexpected turn, with a motley crew of assorted thieves, wizards, vampires and Igors.

I consider myself a connoisseur of audio books and this is one of the best I have heard. The book and its narrator are both a pleasure to read. This is my first experience with Terry Pratchett and certainly will not be my last. Great characters all performed excellently by the narrator. Check it out, you will not be sorry.

This book is fun and hilarious to listen to. Terry Pratchett writes a hysterical book about one of the most mundane subjects: the post office. Stephen Briggs does a fabulous job reading this book and captures the characters personalities quite well. I find myself sitting in my car once I have reached my destination just to listen to a "little bit" more. If you want to listen to a great book that is fun and interesting this is the book for you!

I was first introduced to Terry Pratchet through the book Good Omens - which I really hope audible offers in audio someday. He has a wonderful sense of humor and I was drawn to this particular story because my dad actually works for the post office himself. I got a HUGE kick out of the idea of a career criminal being made post master general. I believe this is set in Disc World (I haven't read those books) but you don't need to have read Disc World to enjoy it. This is set in a "modern fantasy" world containing things like werewolves, golums, and vampires - the most successful lawyer in the city is a zombie. It's quirky and fun. I highly recommend it!

I just started listening to Terry Prachett's stories a month ago and can't stop. Was lucky enough to download "Guards!Guards!" and "Mort" before Audible removed them. Stephen Briggs makes all the difference in the listening. The Author and Narrator are excellent together. Very very very funny stories and am catching myself laughing outloud often. "Going Postal" was right up there with all the rest. Hard to decide which is best, so listen to them all. All his stories are a total delight and you won't want to miss any of them. Highly, highly recommend! They are a great escape from the insanity of our own world.

Stephen Briggs superbly conveys the sense and humor of Pratchett's writing. His voice characterizations and accents are flawless. I've not heard anyone else read Pratchett, but I can't imagine it being done better. I've enjoyed the Audible versions of this and 'Wee Free Men' better than any other Discworld books I've read.